Can opening implement



Feb. 21, 1956 s, 11 BLUE 2,735,171

CAN OPENING IMPLEMENT Filed April 28, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l I T AW) IN V EN TOR.

Feb. 21, 1956 s. D. BLUE 2,735,171

CAN OPENING IMPLEMENT Filed April 28, 1955 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

SIDNEY .D. BL us United States Patent CAN OPENING llVIPLEMENT Sidney D. Blue, Larchmont, N. Y.

Application April 28, 1955, Serial No. 504,620

12 Claims. (Cl. 30-6.1)

The present invention relates generally to can openers, and more particularly is directed to can opening implements of the type which operate to puncture one or more openings in the top of a can that has been sealed with the customary projecting end seam or rim.

In recent years effervescent beverages have been increasingly marketed in generally cylindrical metal cans that have been specially constructed to withstand the internal pressure created by gas contained, for example,.in beer or carbonated soft drinks. Such cans are constructed of thicker metal plate than is customarily used for cans containing food and other materials. In order to remove the beverage it has been the general practice to punch, or otherwise form, two openings in the top of the can, preferably at diametrically opposed locations adjacent the rim of the top end wall of the can, so that the liquid can pour from one of the openings, while air enters the can through the other opening to fill the space vacated by the discharged liquid. The most commonly used tool or implement for forming openings in the top of the can consists of an elongated lever or handle member having a generally triangular cutter or punch at one end and a struck-out tab adjacent the cutter adapted to engage under the projecting rim of the can and thereby providing a fulcrum about which the lever or handle member may be rocked so that the cutter penetrates the can top and forms a triangular opening in the latter. The above described commonly used tool or implement is not completely desirable in that the edges are sharp on the long sides of the isosceles triangle shaped pouring or drinking opening formed therewith. The base of the above described triangular opening is formed by the downwardly folded triangular segment of the can top and is disposed at a rela tive distance from the periphery of the rim, thereby forming a trap for a portion of the contents. Since a majority of all carbonated soft drinks are consumed by children it is obvious that this common triangular opening would be dangerous in the hands of children whose lips, tongues, and fingers are of such proportions as easily to enter the opening and thus be exposed to dangerous and painful cuts. The desire to extract the entrapped contents would out-weigh any admonition of caution.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a can opening implement adapted to form two openings in the top of a can in a single operation with the edges of both of such openings being bent downwardly into the interior of the can, so that there are no exposed sharp edges by which the consumer might be cut.

Another object is to provide a pouring or drinking aperture positioned immediately adjacent the rim so that all of the contents of the can may be easily drained and with such aperture being of a shape and size to provide quick drainage of the contents, yet also designed to exclude the lips, tongue, or finger of the consumer.

Another object is to provide a pouring aperture dimensioned to provide a high velocity stream when decanting from the can to a drinking vessel with the result that beer ice decanted through such an aperture forms a very desirable high collar or head in the drinking vessel.

Since it has been pointed out that there is need for a can opener that will form a safe opening for use by children, it follows that a further object is to provide such an implement that may be operated by a child, realizing full well that the heavy metal plate required for a carbonated beverage container is difiicult to puncture by ordinary means.

It is well known that the agitation of a container of an effervescent beverage causes an ebullition of the contents, on opening, if atmospheric pressure is not able quickly and evenly to be brought to bear on the surface of the liquid. Therefore, an object is to provide a can opening implement having the above characteristics and that causes no agitation of the can and provides, in quick succession, two openings diametrically opposed near the periphery of the top of the can, thereby equalizing the atmospheric pressure on the surface of the contents and thus preventing the premature escape of a portion of the contents.

Another object is to provide a can opening implement of the described character wherein the cutting or puncturing parts of the implement are shielded during nonuse so that the implement can be safely stored in a drawer containing other kitchen utensils and the like without exposing anyone reaching into the drawer to the possibility of injury by such cutting or puncturing parts.

In accordance with this invention a can opening implement is provided that includes an elongated member having a hook-shaped projection at one end to engage under the rim at the top of a can and thereby act as a fulcrum, and a handle portion adjacent its other end so that the member can be rocked about the fulcrum from an initial inclined position to a horizontal position across the top of the can. A plunger extends slidably through the elongated member adjacent the hook-shaped projection at one end of the latter, and has a pyramidal or conical point for initially puncturing the top of a can as the elongated member is rocked to the horizontal position. The plunger is acted upon by a leaf-spring normally to dispose it relative to the elongated member so that only a portion of the pyramidal or conical point extends through the can top after rocking of the elongated member to its horizontal position, whereupon the plunger may be manually displaced relative to the elongated member to complete the penetration of the plunger through the can top and thereby form a pouring or drinking aperture immediately adjacent the rim of the can. The vertical or downward thrust of the plunger, which completes the penetration, also causes the edges of the opening to be folded downwardly into the interior of the can. In the preferred form the plunger has a rectangular body terminating in a pyramidal point which causes the opening to be rectangular in shape with the downwardly folded edges of the opening being in the form of flanges which are triangular in shape and evenly disposed on the four sides of the rectangular opening while the latter is immediately adjacent to the rim of the can so as to permit the complete draining of the liquid contents of the can.

Further, the can opening implement according to this invention includes a pointed pin extending from the elongated member at a location spaced from the pointed plunger to puncture the top of the can as the elongated member is rocked to its horizontal position, thereby to form a vent hole in the top of the can during the same operation that causes the initial penetration of the point of the plunger that eventually forms the main pouring or drinking aperture, and a resilient guard is attached to the elongated member normally to prevent contact with the pointed plunger and pin, but which is deflected out of the way of the plunger and pin during operation of the implement. Finally, the implement also preferably ino cludes a -guide on the elongated member disposed for engagement with the can rim at a location diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of the hook-shaped projection with the can rim, thereby to prevent any slipping of the elongated member during the final actuation of the plunger.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment which is to bereadin connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

Fig. is a bottom plan view of a can opening implement embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the implement of Fig. 1;

'Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view of the cutter plunger takenalong the line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the implement of Figs. 1 and 2 shown associated with a can appearing in vertical section, and with the implement in the po sition occupied thereby at the beginning of the can opening operation;

Fig. 6 is a 'view similar to Fig. 5, but with the imple-- merit shown in the position thereof at the end of an initial phase in the can opening operation;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 5 and 6, but on a greater scale and with the implement shown in its position at the completion of the can opening operation;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a can having openings therein produced by an implement embodying this invention;

and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of Fig.8.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, a can opening implement embodying the present invention is there illustrated and generally identified by the reference numeral 10. The implement 10 includes a generally flat, elongated member 12 having a projection at one end thereof bent downwardly and then reverted to provide a hook-shaped nose 14. Handle forming members 16 and 18, for example, of wood or a suitable plastic, are disposed at the opposite sides of the elongated member 12 and extend from the end of the latter remote from the nose 14 along a substantial portion of the length of the member 12. The handle forming members 16 and 18 are suitably secured to the elongated member 12, for example, by recessed screws 20 extending through the members 12, 16 and 18 and associated nuts. The nose 14 is formed for engagement under the rim'22 at the periphery of the top of a can 24 to'be opened (Figs. 5, 6 and 7) so that the member 12 may be grasped around the handle forming members 16 and 18 and rocked relative'to the can about the nose 14, which serves as a fulcrum. v

In accordance with the present invention, a plunger, generally identified by the numeral 26, extends 'slidably through an opening 28 in the elongated member 12 adjacent the end. of the latter having the nose 14 formed thereon. The plunger 26 includes a body 30 of rectangular cross-section having a generally pyramidal point 32 at the lower end thereof,.that is, at the end extending in the direction of the hook-shaped nose 14. At its opposite end, the body 30 has a stem 34 shown in broken lines on Fig. 2, to which a knob 36 is suitably attached.

A leaf-spring 38 extends along the elongated member 12 and, for a portion of its length, is disposed between the handle forming member 16 and the confronting surface of the member 12 (Fig. 2) to be secured to the latter by the screws 20. The remainder of the length of the leaf-spring 38 is bowed away from the elongated member 12 and, adjacent its free end, the Spring 38 is suitably secured between the stem 34 and the knob 36 of the plunger 26 in order toresilie'ntly maintain the latter in the position relative to the member 12 shown in Fig. 2.

Thus, the spring 38 serves to normally maintain the plunger 26 in a position relative to the elongated member 12 wherein substantially only the point 32 of the plunger projects downwardly from the member 12, and further extension of the plunger through the member 12 in the downward direction, for example, by depressing the knob 36, is yieldably resisted by the spring 38.

As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the body 30 is formed, in one side thereof, with a longitudinal groove 31 having an end wall or shoulder 33 at its lower end, and the member 12 has a projection or lug 29 extending into the opening 23 and received in the groove 31 so that the engagement of shoulder 33 against lug 29 limits the upward movement of the plunger 26 relative to the member 12.

The implement 10 also includes a guide member 40 which is right angularly bent and has one leg thereof received in a suitable recess 42 (Fig. 2) formed in the inner surface of the handle forming member 18 to be there secured by the adjacent one of the screws 26. The guide member 40 is disposed along the member 12 so that the distance between the guide member and the nose 14 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the rim 22 at the top of a can to be opened, whereby, when the implement is disposed, as shown in Fig. 6, with the member 12 extending across and lying substantially parallel to the top of the can, the nose 14 and guide member 40 simultaneously engage the rim of the can at diametrically opposed locations.

The implement 10 further includes a fixed, pointed pin 44- extending from the elongated member 12 between the plunger 26 and guide member 49, but preferably adjacent the latter, and a resilient guard member 46, in the form of a strip of spring metal, which extends longitudinally of the member 12, at the same side of the latter as the nose 14 and the pin 44 and is secured to the member 12 intermediate the ends of the guard member 46, as at 48. The opposite end portions of the guard member 46 are angularly bent away from the elongated member 12, and one end portion of the guard member, indicated at 46a, extends close to the pyramidal point 32 of the plunger 26, while the other end portion of the guard member 46, indicated at 46b has a longitudinally opening slot 50 through which the pin 44 extends, and the portion 46b of the guard member is normally spaced from the elongated member 12 by a distance corresponding to the length of the pin 44 (Fig. 2).

It will be seen in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7 that the pin44 has a rounded head 45 projecting above the top surface of member 12 and acting as a fulcrum for the leaf spring 38 which bears on the head 45. I

From the foregoing, it is apparent that, during nonuse of the implement 10, the end portions 46a and 46b of the guard member 46 are operative to substantially shield the pointed ends of the plunger 26 and the pin 44, respectively, so that the implement may be safely stored in a drawer with other kitchen utensils without the danger that a person reaching into the drawer will be injured by the points on the plunger and pin.

The above described can opening implement is used and operates as follows:

The nose 14 at one end of the member 12 is engaged under the rim 22 extending around the top of a can 24 to be opened, and the extension of the plunger 26 through the member 12 is such that the apex 60 of the preferably pyramidal point 32 of the plunger engages the top of the can adjacent the rim at an oblique angle, with the member 12 in an inclined position (Fig. 5). The member 12 is then rocked to the horizontal position illustrated in Fig. 6, that is, to a position parallel to the top of the can. During such rocking movement of the member 12, the engagement of shoulder 33 of the plunger with the lug 29 of member 12 prevents upward mover'nent of the plungerrela tive to member 12, so that the leverage supplied by the member 12 causes the'apex 69 of the pyramidalpoint 32 to easily puncture the heavy metal can top or lid and to continue downwardly and towards the side wall of the can, with the edges 52 and 54 at the opposite sides of the triangular face 56 (Fig. l) of the point 32 which is directed toward the side of the can, then cutting the can top and forming an initial opening in the latter. As seen in Fig. 6, after the member 12 has been rocked to the position parallel to the can top, only a portion of the point 32 of the plunger 26 has penetrated the can top, and the plunger is still maintained in its normal position by the spring 38. In such normal position, the axis of the plunger, represented by the broken line 37 on Fig. 6, is inclined slightly from the vertical in the direction converging downwardly toward the side wall of the can 24. Further, during the final portion of the rocking movement of the member 12 to the position of Fig. 6, the fixed pin 44 also penetrates the top of the can 24 in order to form a vent hole 62 (Figs. 8 and 9) therein at a location spaced diametrically from the location of the initial opening formed by the point 32 of the plunger.

In order to complete the formation of the opening by the plunger 26, the latter is displaced downwardly, by manually depressing the knob 36, so that the body 30 of the plunger 26 then penetrates the can top immediately adjacent the rim 22 and enlarges the initial opening, with all of the edges of such enlarged opening 64 being folded downwardly to form edge flanges, as at 58 (Figs. 7 and 9), to avoid the presence of any sharp edges around the opening 64.

Since the plunger 26 is secured to the leaf spring 38, it is apparent that the path of the downward displacement of the plunger 26 will be generally arcuate, and the axis 37 of the plunger, after its downward displacement, will be inclined downwardly away from the side wall of the can (Fig. 7). Thus, at the beginning of the downward displacement of the plunger, the body 30 thereof moves toward the rim 22 of the can to ensure that the final opening 64 will extend to the rim of the can, and, during the final portion of the downward displacement of the plunger, the point 32 and body 39 move radially inward to ensure that the radially inner edge of the final opening 64 will also have a downwardly turned flange 58 therealong (Figs. 7 and 9).

During the rocking of member 12 to the position of Fig. 6, the end portions 46a and 46b of the resilient guard engage the can top and are deflected by the latter toward the member 12 thereby to expose the point 32 and the pointed pin 44 for their respective cutting or punching functions.

It will be noted that the plunger 26 is dimensioned so that the location at which the point 32 thereof effects initial contact with the can top will lie well within the area of the completed opening 64 resulting from depression of the plunger so that there will be no portion of the edge of the opening which does not have a downwardly bent flange of substantial depth. Thus, the sharp edge of the flange around the opening is spaced a substantial distance downwardly from the upper surface of the can top, and the body 39 of the plunger is dimensioned so that the resulting opening is too small to permit access to the sharp edge, for example, by the tongue of a child drinking the contents of the can directly from the latter. However, the opening formed by the plunger 26 is preferably large enough to receive either two drinking straws or one large or jumbo drinking straw.

Further, it will be noted that, in using the implement embodying the present invention, leverage applied to the handle is merely for the purpose of effecting initial penetration of the drinking or pouring opening, and that the actual formtion of such opening is effected by means of the downward thrust of the plunger which folds the edges of the cut portions downwardly or into the can to provide four independent triangular flanges, with the flange adjacent the can wall being in substantial contact with the can wall so that no obstruction is present to prevent the outward flow through the opening 64 of the entire contents of the can.

It is also apparent that, during the depression of the plunger 26 to complete the formation thereby of the related opening in the can top, the nose 14 and guide member 40 simultaneously engage the rim 22 at diametrically opposed locations to prevent lateral shifting of the implement, thereby to maintain the above described relationship between the location of initial contact of point 32 with the can top and the area of the completed opening.

When the pressure on the knob 36 is released, the spring 38 returns the plunger 26 to its original position relative to member 12, whereby the body 30 of the plunger is withdrawn from the opening and a portion of the point 32 of relatively small cross-section is disposed within the opening. Thus, when the handle end of member 12 is thereafter rocked upwardly, there is no further engagement between the point 32 and the edge of the opening and any mutilation of the edge is avoided. After the member 12 has been rocked upwardly so that the guide member 40 clears the rim of the can, the nose 14 can be disengaged from the can.

When the can is tilted to pour the liquid contents therefrom through the opening formed by the plunger 26, the hole formed by the pin 44 acts as a vent to permit air to enter thereby avoiding the creation of a vacuum or low pressure within the can which would impede the discharge of the contents. It is to be noted that the above vent is formed simultaneously with the pouring opening during the operation of the implement 10 in the above described manner and, since the opening or hole formed by the pin 44 is intended to act only as a vent, it can be of relatively small area to prevent access to the sharp edge of the bottom of the downturned flange surrounding the vent hole.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the implement embodying this invention may be safely stored without the danger that the cutting or punching parts thereof may inflict injuries upon a person reaching into the place of storage, and that, when operated, the implement simultaneously forms two spaced apart openings in a can top, with such openings being smooth edged to avoid any injuries therefrom, particularly when drinking directly from the can.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A can opening implement comprising an elongated member having a hook-shaped projection at one end for engagement under a rim at the top of a can thereby to form a fulcrum for rocking of said member between an initial position inclined relative to the plane of the can 'top and a position parallel to said plane and extending across the can top, a pointed plunger slidably extending through said member adjacent said one end of the latter, and means yieldably retaining said plunger relative to said member so that only a limited portion of the pointed plunger projects through said member for initially puncturing the cap top with an opening of less area than the largest cross-section of the plunger during the rocking of said member to said position parallel to the can top, whereby such opening is then enlarged by depressing said plunger relative to said member and the edges of the enlarged opening are flanged downwardly into the interior of the can.

2. A can opening implement comprising an elongated member having a hook-shaped projection at one end for engagement under a rim at the top of a can thereby to form a fulcrum for rocking of said member between an initial position inclined relative to the plane of the can top and a position parallel to said plane and extending across the can top, a pointed plunger slidably extending through said member adjacent said one end of the latter, means yieldably retaining said plunger -relative to said member so that only a limited portion of the "pointed plunger projects through said member for initiallypun'cturing the can top with an opening of less area than the largest cross-section of the plunger during the rocking of said member to said position parallel to the can top, whereby such opening is then enlarged by depressing said plunger relative to said member and the edges of the enlarged opening are flanged downwardly into'the interior of the can, and a pointed pin extending'trozn said member at a location spaced from said plunger to puncuire the can top and thereby provide a vent hole in the latter as said member is rocked to said positionparallel to the can top.

3. A can opening implement comprising an elongated member having a hook-shaped projection at one end for engagement under a rim at the top of a can thereby to form a fulcrum for rocking of said member between an initial position inclined relative to the plane of the can top and a position parallel to said plane and extending across the can top, a pointed plunger slidably extending through said member adjacent said one end of the latter, means yieldably retaining said plunger relative to said member so that only a limited portion of the pointed plunger projects through said member for initially puncturing the can top with an opening of less area than the largest cross-section of the plunger during the rocking of said member to said position parallel to the can top, whereby such opening is then enlarged by depressing said plunger relative to said member and the edges of the enlarged opening are flanged downwardly into the interior of the can, and a guide member extending from said elongated member at a location spaced from said plunger in the direction away from said one end for engagement with the rim at the can top at a location diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of said hook-shaped projection with the rim, thereby to prevent shifting of said elongated member across the can top during depressing of said plunger for ensuring the uniform folding down of all the flanged edges of the enlarged opening.

4. A can opening implement comprising an elongated member having a hook-shaped projection at one end for engagement under a rim at the top of a can thereby to form a fulcrum for rocking of said member between an initial position inclined relative to the plane of the can top and a position parallel to said plane and extending across the can top, a pointed plunger slidably extending throu h said member adjacent said one end of the latter, means yieldably retaining said plunger relative to said member so that only a limited portion of the pointed plunger projects through said member for initially puncturing the can top with an opening of less area than the largest cross-section of the plunger during the rocking of said member to said position parallel to the can top whereby such opening is then enlarged by depressing said plunger relative to said member and the edges of the enlarged opening are flanged downwardly into the interior of the can, a guide member extending from said elongated member at a location spaced from said plunger in the direction away from said one end for engagement with the rim at the can top at a location diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of said hook-shaped projection with the rim, thereby to prevent shifting of said elongated member across the can top during depress ing of'said plunger for ensuring the uniform folding down of 'all the flanged edges of the enlarged opening, and a pointed pin extending from said elongated member at a location between said plunger and guide member and adjacent the latter to puncture the can top and thereby provide a vent hole in the latter as said elongated member is rocked to said position parallel to the can top.

'5. 'A can openingimplementcomprising an elongated member havin'ga hook-shaped projection at one end for engagement unde'r'a rimat the top ofa can thereby to form a fulcrum for rocking of said member between an initial position inclined relative to the plane of the can top and a position parallel to said plane and extending across the can top, a pointed plunger slidably extending through said member adjacent said one end of the latter, means yieldably retaining said plunger relative to said member so that only a limited portion of the pointed plunger projects through said member for initially puncturing the can top with an opening of less area than the largest cross-section of the plunger during the rocking of said member to said position parallel'to the can top, whereby such opening is then enlarged by depressing said plunger relative to said member and the edges of the enlarged opening are flanged downwardly into the interior of the can, a guide member extending from said elongated member at a location spaced from said plunger in the direction away from said one end for engagement with the rim at the can top at a location diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of said hookshaped projection with the rim, thereby to prevent shifting of said elongated member across the can top during depressing of said plunger for ensuring the uniform folding down of all the flanged edges of the enlarged opening, a pointed pin ex tending from said elongated member at a location between said plunger and guide member and adjacent the latter to puncture the can top and thereby provide a vent hole in the latter as said elongated member is rocked to said position parallel to the can top, and a resilient guard member on said elongated member normally shielding said pointed pin and pointed plunger and displaced by the can top during rocking of said elongated member to said position parallel to the can top in order to expose said pointed pin and pointed plunger for puncturing of the can top.

6. A can Opening implement comprising an elongated member having a hook-shaped projection at one end for engagement under a rim at the top of a can thereby to form a fulcrum for rocking of said member between an initial position inclined relative to the plane of the can top and a position parallel to said plane and extending across the can top, a pointed plunger slidably extending through said member adjacent said one end of the latter, means yieldably retaining said plunger relative to said member so that only a limited portion of the pointed plunger projects through said member for initially puncturing the can top With an opening of less area than the largest cross-secti0n of the plunger during the rocking of said member to said position parallel to the can top, whereby such opening is then enlarged by depressing said plunger relative to said member and the edges of the enlarged opening are flanged downwardly into the interior of the can, a pointed pin extending from said member at a location spaced from said plunger to puncture the can top and thereby provide a vent hole in the latter as said member is rocked to said position parallel to the can top, and a resilient guard member on said elongated member normally in shielding relationship to said pointed plunger and pin'and displaced by engagement with the can top during rocking of said elongated member to said position parallel to the can top in order to expose said pointed plunger and pin for puncturing of the can top.

7. A can opening implement comprising an elongated member having a hook-shaped projection at one end for engagement under a rim at the top of a can thereby'to provide a fulcrum for rocking of said member between an initial position inclined relative to the can top and a position parallel to the can top and extending across the latter, a plunger slidably extending through said member adjacent said one end and having at least a part thereof with rectangular cross-sections and a pyramidal end, and means yieldably retaining said plunger relative to said member so that, during the rocking of said member to its position parallel to the can top, the edges of the triangular face of said pyramidal end of theplunger-facing toward said one end ofthe elongated'me'mbe'r initially cutthrough.

the can top to form an opening in the la'ttr 'and' 'such opening is enlarged and the edges of the latter turned down when the plunger is depressed relative to said elongated member to extend said rectangular part of the plunger through the can top.

8. A can opening implement comprising an elongated member having a hook-shaped projection at one end for engagement under a rim at the top of a can thereby to provide a fulcrum for rocking of said member between an initial position inclined relative to the can top and a position parallel to the can top and extending across the latter, a plunger slidably extending through said member adjacent said one end and having at least a part thereof with rectangular cross-sections and a pyramidal end, means yieldably retaining said plunger relative to said member so that, during the rocking of said member to its position parallel to the can top, the edges of the triangular face of said pyramidal end of the plunger facing toward said one end of the elongated member initially cut through the can top to form an opening in the latter and such opening is enlarged and the edges of the latter turned down when the plunger is depressed relative to said elongated member to extend said rectangular part of the plunger through the can top, and a pointed pin extending from said elongated member at a location spaced from said plunger in the direction away from said one end to puncture the can top as said elongated member is rocked to its position parallel to the can top, thereby to provide a vent hole in the latter for facilitating the pouring of the contents of the can through the enlarged opening formed by said plunger.

9. A can opening implement according to claim 8; further comprising a guide member fixed to said elongated member at the side of said pointed pin facing away from said plunger to engage the rim at the can top at a location diametrically opposed to said hook-shaped projection when said elongated member is disposed in its position parallel to the can top, thereby to prevent displacement of said elongated member relative to the can top during the depression of said plunger.

10. A can opening implement according to claim 8; further comprising an elongated, resilient guard strip secured intermediate its ends to said elongated member between said plunger and pointed pin, the opposite end portions of said guard strip being inclined away from said elongated member and normally shielding the ends of said plunger and pointed pin so that, when said elongated member is rocked to its position parallel to the can top, the latter deflects said end portions of the guard strip to expose said plunger and pointed pin for puncturing the can top.

11. A can opening implement comprising an elongated member having a hook-shaped projection at one end for engagement under a rim at the top of a can thereby to provide a fulcrum for rocking of said member between an initial position inclined relative to the can top and a position parallel to the can top and extending across the latter, a plunger slidably extending through said member adjacent said one end and having at least a part thereof With rectangular cross-sections and a pyramidal end, and a leaf spring extending along said member and secured to the latter at a location spaced from said one end of the member, the end of said leaf spring adjacent said one end of the member being normally spaced from the latter and secured to said plunger to yieldably retain the latter relative to said elongated member so that during rocking of said member to its position parallel to the can top, the edges of the triangular face of said pyramidal end of the plunger facing toward said one end of the elongated member initially cut through the can top downwardly and toward the rim to form a preliminary opening in the can top and such opening is enlarged and the edges of the latter flanged downwardly when the plunger is depresed relative to said elongated member and moves along an arcuate path defined by the swinging of the end of said spring to which the plunger is secured to extend said rectangular part of the plunger through the can top.

12. A can opening implement according to claim 11; further comprising cooperatnig means on said plunger and elongated member limiting the displacement of said plunger relative to said member in the direction away from said pointed end of the plunger so that, when said member is rocked to its position parallel to the can top, the leverage of said elongated member is applied through said limiting means to said plunger.

No references cited. 

